"You are always gonna be my love…"
The sound of Utada Hikaru's melodic voice filled the whole cathedral…
Relena Peacecraft sighed heavily. She couldn't believe she would actually marry him. Him. He who she had just known for three and a half years. She closed her eyes, feeling herself sink in with Utada's song, First Love. Her eyes opened again, looking directly at her wedding entourage---an almost endless line of persons whom she had shared a special kind of interaction. That was the fit word.
For a long time, she had wanted to wear a silky gown like this white off-shoulders one she is wearing. Complete with the veil, bouquet of red, pink and white roses…And that glam updo with wavy end-curls, adorned with a diadem or something…At last, all was a dream come true. And she was only 19. Very young, her brother had commented. But he didn't oppose her, because he himself, married at the age of twenty. She couldn't believe it had cost so much even of its simple designs. And she couldn't believe that she had hurt herself so much just to see him. To help him. Pilot Number One. Heero Yuy. The man that had been oh-so-special to her. True, there are times he had threatened to kill her. But he didn't. Because he felt for her? Or just because of pity? Of knowing that she is a Peacecraft, who could help in uniting the nations which are at war, because he wanted peace? There were many questions running in her head. And she was glad he didn't do it.
"I hope that I have place in your, too…"
She smirked. For a long time…A very long time, he didn't show up. Since after she had sent him under medical care after Mariemaia's coup. But he disappeared into the night and was never seen again…She had waited, but he didn't. She cared for him, valued him…Loved him? She couldn't even think of a reason to be so attached to him. To that haughty Japanese pilot, who cared less for anything…But she still tried. And hoped. That someday he'd be back. For she still longs to see his rare smile which assured her that everything's gonna be okay. The smile…The first and the last…
But now she's not waiting anymore. She's going to go on with or without him. She's moving on to life anew. And now, she has found another. Someone who's willing to share his life with her in her clueless reality. The world she lived in. And his name is Derek Craxi. The son of one of her brother's associates.
She sighed, still listening to the song that's already on the bridge. She had wanted to cry but she stopped herself. No sense of crying now…She walked more, realizing that she was actually humming the song. She smiled at herself. "Relena, are you feeling alright?" a voice suddenly stops her train of thoughts.
She looked up, saw her older brother looking so concerned. She nodded her head and offered a faint grin. "Good. Coz you've been too quiet." Milliard said, looking straight ahead. The man who was once called Zechs Merquise, the Lightning Baron of Oz…Ace pilot. The first and ever, only one who could easily manoeuvre the deadly Tallgeese MS models. Tallgeese I and III. The man who still prefers to be called Zechs because of the huge burden which came with his name, though he is getting used to Milliard. Then again, the man who used to wear a mask to hide his real identity. And the man who was thought to be dead. But he survived. Like he always did. And again, she was glad for that.
She smiled. Ah, her brother, still the same. His long, platinum blond hair was tied in a knot with a black ribbon, instead of its usual loose style. He was wearing a white tux, very kingly. And now he ruled the renewed Sanc Kingdom. The kingdom they had lost from the Federation.
"Don't worry, hon. She's just a little excited." a feminine voice suggested. She cocked her head and saw her sister-in-law. Lucrezia Noin. She was a soldier too. An ace pilot, just like Zechs. Noin and Zechs had been together for so long. Years. And they knew each other so well, more than Relena knew her brother. Again she gave another sigh.
She looked at Noin. she was wearing a simple white strappy silk top with a see-through long-sleeved mesh blouse, and a matching long, narrow, flowing silk skirt with a slit that extends just two inches above her knee. On her feet were white, high-heeled Prada sandals. Her short bluish black hair was all the same, stylishly fixed but looking natural. A diamond solitaire necklace hung on her delicate neck, the necklace given to her by Zechs during their anniversary. Complete with all the accessories. All purely diamond and gold. But she didn't give attention to that one. She was perfectly dressed, very well co-ordinated. And not only did she know fashion very well, she was a great military officer, too.
Once the highest-ranking captain and instructor for Oz, Noin has also been the commander for the past Sanc Kingdom after she shunned herself from Oz and the Federation. The woman who had brought the five Gundam pilots altogether for the final battle during the final confrontation with the overpowering factions. And the world wouldn't have rested if it weren't for her intelligence and skills. She was so amazed that even though she was so feminine, she was the most strong-willed of all the women she knew in the entire history. She's not easily swayed. And she had a strong faith in Zechs… A faith that had remained for a very long time. A faith so strong that they were both able to overcome everything.
She looked at the couple which guided her down the aisle. Walking alongside with her. She smiled. They had been married for almost three years. Some time after the A.C. 196 war. During the New Year celebration. In this very cathedral. They had a daughter, very pretty. She was named Marie Lucille. A combination of the M and the L of the couple's first names. And she had long, straight blonde locks and deep blue eyes, an exact replica of two joint lovers. To some, it may not seem obvious, but Lucy (Lucille) is close to being followed. Noin was already on her third month.
Still a long, long way to go! Relena exclaimed to herself. "Oh, look at Lucy!" She suddenly burst out in whisper. Lucy was three-years old. The three of them watched as the little girl walked enthusiastically down the aisle together with her fellow little flower girls. "Don't worry, Relena. You'll have a child of your own." Noin said, smiling. Relena suggested a lopsided grin at that. "And she'll be smarter and more talented." The princess added dreamily. "I don't think yours could top our baby." Zechs replied, half-jokingly. "We'll see 'bout that." came her teasing reply.
They walked more, pausing and continuing. They were only three meters from the altar, when she caught sight of their friends. Hilde Schebecker, Cathrine Bloom and Sally Po were giggling to themselves as they awaited her entrance, while their long-time boyfriends---except for Hilde and Duo who had married three months beforehand---Trowa Baron and Quatre Raberba Winner exchanged talks, discussing. Chang Wufei just stood there, beside Sally who was three years older than him unlike the other girls. They were in the second row. They walked more, now near them. And they gave Relena 'good-lucks' and 'congratulations'. She smiled and thanked them in return.
Lady Une was also there, sitting on the first row pew, holding a behave Lucy. Dorothy Catalonia and Duo Maxwell were there, too. Dorothy was the Maid of Honour, while Duo was the Best Man. Duo stayed beside him. The lucky lad. She smiled at him. Derek Craxi. The guy she's been thinking of and the man she's gonna marry. The guy who's gonna replace Heero forever in her heart…
Zechs and Noin each gave the young lady a small kiss and the cheek, before she locked arms with Derek. "Take care of my sister." Whispered Zechs to the dark-haired groom. Derek nodded. Zechs patted his back and led Noin to their seat.
Relena looked back, smiling at the couple, watching as Lucy ran to her mom. "Relena." Derek whispered to her ear, and she looked. His brown eyes looked sweetly at her, and she smiled back. They held hands as the ceremony went on, looking at each other every ten minutes, smiling affectionately. For one. She had learned to love him, even though at first she couldn't put Heero's memory aside. Derek had really been nice to her, ever since they had met in one of the important meetings she has to attend to. And they went on seeing each other every gatherings, devoloping this mutual understanding as time goes by. And her brother had never been against it. Although he and Heero had some nasty fights in the past, he had always trusted him. His skills. And he had always asked her if she was ready to give up on Heero. And the answer is, yes.
When the priest came to the part where the audience were asked if anyone's going against their union…
She looked around, hoping that no one would likely interrupt.
"Who are they waiting for?" she heard Lucy ask innocently. Noin tucked a loose strand of the little girl's blonde hair. Relena smiled as she heard Noin's deep answer. The Italian lady has a really wide range of vocabulary.
The priest cleared his throat. Then spoke once more…when a shout echoed loudly into the cathedral. "Stop! We protest!" two voices called out---one was familiar, the male one's but the female…no. "Who could that be?" Derek asked, running a hand through his short dark hair. "I don't know." came Relena's dazed reply. Zechs and Noin had stood up abruptly, as well as the other pilots and their friends. "That voice sounds familiar." Duo had whispered, shaking his head. "Hey, isn't that…" Duo suddenly puts it altogether, pointing out to two running people on the aisle.
"Heero!" the princess cried, breaking away from Derek's hold. "Heero?" Zechs asked incredulously, stepping closer. "Relena…" Heero croaked, almost desperately. The audience gasped. He was wearing his usual outfit. The jacket, sleeveless shirt and the jeans, and his hair was all the same. Tousled. Rugged. In his side was another lady his age, with strawberry blonde hair like Sally's, wearing a short powder blue dress. "Derek." She whispered softly.
"Kara…" Derek gasped, his eyes widening. "I can't believe it!" he cried, running towards the sobbing girl. "H-how did you survive? I thought you were dead." He said softly, embracing her. Mindless of the people around them.
"Derek…"
Relena shot Derek a look.
The couple-to-be stared at each other. "Who's Heero/Kara?" they asked at the same time. "He is Heero Yuy. My former love…" she said, her voice faltering as she said the last three words. "Oh." Derek muttered. He stepped back from Kara saying, "This is Kara Thames. She was my fiancee." He explained briefly, looking away as he did so.
"Oh, brother." Duo muttered under his breath, putting a hand on his forehead. "This is a catastrophe." Dorothy mumbled under her breath. "Yes, yes. How could they do that?" came the American's reply. "I never thought you cared." "Aw, come on! It's so embarrassing! I mean, don't they even care about how Utada will think?" Duo asked, thinking of the singer's welfare. "Duo!" Dorothy scolded, raising her hand to her hips. "What?" "Get a life."
The princess just looked at the two.
"I-I don't get it." Relena stammered, stepping down the altar. Derek sighed. "Neither do I." Came his silent reply. Relena turned to an all-silent Heero. "Why of all times, do you have to show your face today?" she demanded of the Japanese pilot. "I-I---Relena---I can't bear to lose you…" Hearing that, she slapped his face. "You can't bear to lose me?!" she cried out "You can't bear to lose me, and yet you stayed away from me for so long? How can you do that to me?" she sobbed, her tone enraged.
All the people inside the cathedral stared at them, silent. Some, not understanding what is happening. The once happy crowd turned all grim and tongue-tied.
Relena cocked her head and felt her heart contract painfully as she saw her friends looking down, Wufei was mumbling something, Noin whispering some things to a curious Lucy, while Zechs started a silent converse with the priest, who seemed puzzled all of a sudden. Lady Une was helping Noin with the curious girl. Again, she turned to Heero. "See how much trouble you're causing?" she hissed, but he was all blank. "R-Relena---" Derek uttered, touching her shoulder. She looked at him and held up a hand. "Don't." was all she said. Derek nodded resolutely, withdrawing his hand from her shoulders. Relena looked at Heero, then at Kara. And she started shaking harder as her tears fell.
"Relena, I'm sorry."
"Sorry isn't enough, Heero." She snapped, her body trembling in grief. "How dare you hurt Relena?!" Derek growled, pushing Heero roughly. "Get outta this. Mind your own business." Heero retorted. "Why you!" Derek was on the verge of hitting Heero when Kara got in the way and slapped him. "Stop it, Derek!" she cried. He stared at her. "K-Kara?" he stammered in disbelief.
Both couples stared at each other for some time, silent. Feeling each others' anger…rage. Sadness. And the whole cathedral seemed to burn with emotions.
"You promised…you promised…" Kara sobbed, covering her face. "I'm so sorry." He said, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. He expected her to shrug his hand off, but she didn't. Instead, she allowed him to embrace her. "Kara, sorry. I thought you…Never mind." He soothed.
"I think you should fix this whole mess up once and for all." a low voice suggested. They all looked at the direction of the voice, except for Kara. "Zechs." Heero muttered in realization. Relena nodded hesitantly, and turned to Derek. "Will it be me, or Kara?" Derek swallowed hard. He looked at Kara. "Now?" he asked in a small voice. Heero sneered. Although Relena asked Derek to choose, deep inside her she wishes that he would choose Kara---so she could be with Heero…Heero…
He looked at both ladies worriedly. Who would he choose? He wanted to be with Kara…But how about Relena? They had a pact, and it would be a big embarrassment to both his father and to the king. He looked past at them, at Milliard, as if asking for assistance. But the young king just shook his head. "Well?" Relena asked impatiently. Derek stared again. But it wouldn't be much of a disappointment if he'd choose Kara because it was she whom her parents had chosen for him…But when she was reported to be dead due to a plane crash just three years ago, it was Relena.
But she wasn't dead, she just had a partial amnesia that it had taken her some time to recover from the accident. And now she remembers everything… Derek drew a deep breath and looked at Relena. He closed his eyes and shook his head. "Kara." He whispered, added, "Gomen desu, Relena-sama." Kara's head shot up. "Derek?" she cried, flinging herself in his arms like someone longing for his loved one. Relena smiled faintly. Derek drew back from Kara and embraced Relena for the last time. "Thanks." He whispered. "I understand. I would choose Heero, anyway." she whispered, turning to a victorious Heero.
"Omae wa korosu."
She smiled and took his hand, "I'm not scared." She giggled. Heero ran his free hand on her forehead and smiled thinly. "I'm sorry I left you." "It's alright. You're back anyway." Heero took his handkerchief and wiped the remains of Relena's cry. She smiled and kissed his cheek.
And both couples walked up the altar and proceeded with the ceremony in a double-wedding, while Utada sang the song from the very beginning to offer perfection for the moment…
Not the End!!
